Full Breakdown
Trump Declares Veterans Day as "Victory Day for World War I"
11/13/2025, 8:32:16 AM
Ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery
On November 11, 2025, President Donald Trump participated in a Veterans Day ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery, where he laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Joined by Vice President JD Vance and Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins, Trump delivered remarks that intertwined traditional tributes to veterans with political commentary. He proclaimed that Veterans Day would also be recognized as "Victory Day for World War I," citing the U.S. role in the war's conclusion on November 11, 1918. Trump expressed his desire for the U.S. to celebrate its military victories similarly to other nations, stating, “I saw France was celebrating ‘Victory Day,’ but we didn’t... We’re the one that won the wars.”
Official Statements & Responses
In his speech, Trump emphasized the importance of honoring veterans, stating, “We love you, we salute you, and we will never forget what you have done to keep America safe, sovereign, and free.” He also highlighted his administration's efforts to improve veterans' services, including reducing the backlog of VA benefit claims and opening new facilities. However, critics argue that such proclamations do not address ongoing issues within the Department of Veterans Affairs, including funding gaps and staffing shortages.
Criticism & Opposition
Critics of Trump's announcement have raised concerns that renaming Veterans Day to include "Victory Day" could overshadow the sacrifices of living veterans. Veterans' organizations have warned that while the ceremony may be visually impressive, it does not equate to the necessary support and resources veterans require throughout the year. James R. Stark, a retired rear admiral, noted that the military community has mixed feelings about Trump's approach, suggesting that many service members are uncomfortable with how he utilizes military themes for political gain.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
While Trump’s proclamation for Veterans Day was officially recognized, his earlier suggestion to rename the holiday has not been formally enacted by Congress, which is required for such changes. Some sources indicate that Trump had previously floated the idea of creating separate holidays for World War I and World War II, but the only formal proclamation issued this year was for Veterans Day itself.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Today is not only Veterans Day, but it’s my proclamation that we are now going to be saying and calling [it] Victory Day for World War I.” — Donald Trump, President of the United States
- “We don’t like being politically correct, so we’re not going to be politically correct anymore… From now on when we fight a war, we only fight for one reason: to win.” — Donald Trump, President of the United States
- “The VA now understands that we do nothing else except take care of the veteran,” — Doug Collins, Veterans Affairs Secretary
What's Next
As the nation reflects on Veterans Day, the debate surrounding the recognition of military victories and the treatment of veterans is likely to continue. The administration's commitment to improving veterans' services will be scrutinized as stakeholders seek tangible outcomes beyond ceremonial acknowledgments.
